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13 September 2019
Club Med Joyview Yanqing, Beijing, China
Wed 11th – Fri 13th September 2019
The World Ornamental Horticulture Summit is a premier event in this year’s calendar for the global ornamental horticulture industry. It provides a speaker programme of eminent industry figures such as Biense Visser (CEO Dummen Orange), Edgar Krieger, (Secretary General, CIOPORA) and Marco van Zijverden (CEO, Dutch Flower Group), along with the invaluable opportunity for professional engagement with colleagues from around the world.
AIPH International Green City Conference
9:00: Chairman’s introduction
Keynote Speech by Mr Biense Visser, CEO of Dümmen Orange, the Netherlands
Using the experience of Dümmen Orange as a multi-national company supplying the ornamental horticulture industry, Mr Visser will detail:
Q&A
Plant Breeders Rights in China – Mr Long Sanqun, Deputy Director General of PBR Office, National Forestry and Grassland Administration will outline:
Effective Intellectual Property Protection for Plant Innovations – the Key to an Enduring Flow of Excellent Varieties – Dr Edgar Krieger, Secretary General of CIOPORA will address:
10:40: Coffee Break
11:00:
Case Study – Successful Cooperation Between Chinese Growers and International Breeders – Mr Wang Zhijian, President of Yunnan YinMore Flower Industry Company, China and Yoshikazu Suzuki, CEO of Fuji Plants Co. Ltd. Japan (carnation breeder and supplier to Yunnan YinMore). They will outline the nature of their businesses and how they have worked together to develop the market in China.
11:40: Panel discussion
The morning’s speakers will debate the challenges and opportunities for plant breeders in China: Mr Biense Visser, Mr Long Sanqun, Dr Edgar Krieger, Mr Wang Zhijian and Mr Yoshikazu Suzuki.
12:30: Lunch
Keynote Speech by Mr Marco van Zijverden, CEO of Dutch Flower Group, the Netherlands. As the world’s largest exporter of flowers Mr van Zijverden will outline:
What You Need to Know About Trading with China – a representative from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) will outline:
15:00: Break
15:30:
International Growers Making Business in China. Mr Fabian Saenz, Costa Farms Miami USA, Vice President Costa Farms Far East Division Guangzhou China, will outline how Costa Farms, one of the largest nursery companies in the world, co-operates to expand its global market and opportunities and manages the challenges.
Opportunities at GreenTech for the Chinese industry. Ms Mariska Dreschler, GreenTech, the Netherlands, will outline the development fo the GreenTech trade fair and how this can support the ornamentals industry in China.
Challenges and Opportunities in Supplying the Chinese Market: A series of short presentations from:
Panel discussion
An expert panel will debate the challenges and opportunities of trading with China.
17:20: Closing Remarks
9:00: Introduction
Keynote Speech by Mr Lu Zhipeng, Manager of Ornamentals and Horticultural Products Sector, Alibaba Group will provide valuable insights into:
Q&A
AIPH International Vision Project: Understanding the Chinese Market – Joep Hendricks will outline AIPH’s latest International Vision Project (IVP) report focusing on:
Q&A
10:30: Coffee Break
11:00: Development of the Ornamentals Market in Japan and Globally – Mr Hiroshi Sakata, President of Sakata Seed Corporation and Japan Home Gardening Association
11:20: An expert panel will debate how changing consumers influence market supply and demand
12:20: Closing remarks
Biense Visser is currently CEO of Dümmen Orange, a leading breeding company in floriculture. He has held this position since 2014. Under his guidance, the company was branded Dümmen Orange and a strategy of product leadership in floriculture was implemented. The key to Dümmen Orange’s success is a broad and deep product range, supported by a global supply chain combined with deep customer knowledge. Since the brand introduction, Dümmen Orange entered the breeding of major crops like phalenopsis, roses and bulbs & tubers (tulip and calla) through acquisitions. The company has doubled its revenues since 2014 to the present level of c.€350m and has its own sales operations in Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America and North America.
After his graduation as a pharmacist at the University of Utrecht, Biense Visser held various positions at Sanquin, a Dutch blood products company. Later he became CEO of Pharmachemie, a leading European-based generic drugs company. After the company was acquired by Teva Pharmaceuticals, Visser was appointed as President of Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe. In 2002, Visser made a career switch and accepted the position of CEO at the family owned vegetable seeds company De Ruiter Seeds. In his 6 years at the helm of this company, the sales figures more than doubled, an attractive IP portfolio was set up and the company was acquired by Monsanto (now Bayer). From 2009 to 2014 Visser served as CEO of aap Implantate AG, during which the company was transformed to a focussed trauma company specialised in silver coated products.
Photo credit: Melinda-Lou van der Linden
Marco van Zijverden is CEO of Dutch Flower Group (DFG), the largest family of floral trading companies in the world. In 1986 Marco began working in the family business, OZ Export, and became Managing Director of OZ Van Zijverden in 1987. In 1993, Marco’s father Klaas van Zijverden (founder of OZ) transferred his shares to his son. In 1999, the merger between the trading companies of the OZ Group (family Van Zijverden) and Van Duyn Group (family Van Duijn) was initiated.
In his role as CEO of DFG, Marco has received many awards throughout the years for entrepreneurship, business and sustainable strategy. He is the ‘facilitator’ for directors of DFG companies to develop best strategies and tactics, with a strong focus on the human factor. Next to this, Marco is the ‘connector’ of sustainable partnerships within the chain, focusing on the clients as the preferred growers. Marco is an honorary member of the VGB (the Dutch Association of Wholesalers in Floriculture Products).
In 2018 the DFG ‘family’ was honoured with the Family Business Award. The key success factors of Dutch Flower Group are its core values – client focus and a transparent approach to global business – towards importing for floral wholesalers and mass retailers (supermarkets, garden centers, florist chains, DIY). In addition, sustainability throughout the chain is a key driver now and in the future.
Dutch Flower Group is located across the globe with 13 offices. DFG companies supply floral wholesalers and mass retailers in 100 countries worldwide. Over 4,000 people are daily ‘making life colourful’ in the custom-made supply of fresh cut flowers, bouquets, plants and decorative greens. In 2018, the 33 family members of DFG represented an annual turnover of € 1.524 billion.
Dr Krieger has extensive experience in the field of Intellectual Property Protection for plant innovation and has held the position of CIOPORA Secretary General since 2004. Prior to CIOPORA, Dr Krieger worked as a lawyer at an international law firm specialising in IP protection, particularly Plant Breeder’s Rights, advising agricultural breeders in hundreds of court cases up to the European Court of Justice. Dr Krieger holds a law degree from the University of Bonn and a degree in business administration from the Aachen University of Applied Sciences. He completed his doctoral dissertation on the topic “Farmers’ Exemption in Germany” at the Philipp University of Marburg.
CIOPORA is the International Association of Breeders of Asexually Reproduced Horticultural Varieties. Breeders of such varieties account for two-thirds of all Plant Variety Right (PVR) titles in the world. For more than 50 years, CIOPORA has been representing these breeders in all matters of Intellectual Property (IP) Protection, aiming to foster an environment in which the innovation of these breeders can flourish. The main priority of CIOPORA is the constant development and enhancement of systems of Intellectual Property Protection for plant innovation. CIOPORA enjoys the observer status at the Administrative Council of CPVO and the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). CIOPORA unites breeders of all asexually reproduced horticultural plants with a broad portfolio of species and varieties on the market. CIOPORA is a member-based, non-profit organisation with currently 115 members from over 20 countries on five continents.
As a master of ornamental horticulture and manager of Ornamentals and Horticultural Products Sector of Alibaba, Mr Lu Zhipeng has been responsible for the company’s e-commerce business of flowers and gardens for five years. In 2019, he co-organised the first China Garden Festival in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province.
Fabian Saenz brings more than 15 years of industry experience to Costa Farms, where he currently serves as Vice President of the company’s Far East Division. Mr. Saenz worked in an array of positions, including Operations, Finance, and Marketing before establishing the company’s Far East Division in Guangzhou, China, in 2008. Since then, he’s built significant commercial relationships within Mainland China, and has grown Costa Farms’ portfolio of products produced in Asia from a handful of items to hundreds including hard goods and live plants. Having earned a business degree from Florida International University, Saenz’s key areas of focus include improvements to supply chain, new product development, value engineering, facilitating financial success and driving customer value.
Costa Farms is one of the largest wholesale growers in the world, producing thousands of varieties of indoor and outdoor tropical plants, as well as annual and perennial bedding plants. Its products are shipped to some of North America’s largest retailers, including Lowe’s, Walmart, The Home Depot, and IKEA. Costa Farms was the 2016 Gold Rose award winner as AIPH Grower of the Year.
Mr Hiroshi Sakata graduated from Keio University in 1974 as a Bachelor of Economics. After working for Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Ltd. (Mizuho Bank Ltd.) for 7 years, he joined T. Sakata & Company (Sakata Seed Corporation) in 1981. He achieved success in the start-up Sakata Seed Europe B.V. (European Sakata Holding S.A.S) in the Netherlands from 1990 to 1994. After returning to Japan he led a number of departments including administration, publicity, supply chain and corporate planning as a general manager, director and managing director. In June 2007 he assumed the position of President of Sakata Seed Corporation.
In public life, Mr Sakata has been president of the Japan Seed Trade Association. Currently he is president of the Japan Home Gardening Association (founded at The International Garden and Greenery Exposition, Osaka, Japan in 1990). He is also Executive Councillor of the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In 2016 Mr Sakata has awarded the ‘République française Chevalier de l’Ordre du Merite Agricole’ by the French government and in 2017 the Japanese government awarded him ‘Medals of Honour – Medal with Yellow Ribbon’ in recognition of his untiring dedication to agricultural and horticultural development.
Mr Long Sanqun is the Deputy Director of the Protection of New Plants Varieties Office in the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, China. In 1985, he graduated from Nanjing Forestry University. From 2002 to 2004, he studied Forestry Economic Management at the Beijing Forestry University. In October 2015, Mr Long Sanqun attended the “Improving Strategic Management Ability” training course at the Wharton School in the US. From 1985 to 1990, in the National Forestry Inventory and Planning Institute of Forest Inventory and Planning, he was engaged in the design of technical work. Since 1998, he has been responsible for establishing the forestry system of the protection of new plants varieties in China. In addition, Mr Long Sanqun is the author of papers and monographs such as: “China on the Protection of New Varieties of Plants System” and “To Promote Forestry Development by Leaps and Bounds Should Strengthen Intellectual Property Protection”.
As the CEO of Yunnan YinMore Group, Chairman of the board of Yunnan YinMore Flower Industry Co., Ltd., and Executive Director of Yunnan Flower Industry Federation, Mr Wang Zhijian has been working in ornamental horticulture industry for more than 22 years.
Under his leadership, Yunnan YinMore Company has developed into a large, standardised, professional production enterprise of young plants, potted plants and cut flowers, especially well-known for its carnation young plants and potted Cymbidium production. His company won silver in the ‘Young Plants’ category of the AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards 2017. Mr Wang cooperates closely with international plant breeders and has much to share on the benefits of novelty protection.
Mr Yoshikazu Suzuki, CEO of Fuji-Plants Co. Ltd. has more than 52 years’ experience in the carnation business. Mr Yoshikazu Suzuki is one of the first experts to enter the China market and teach professional production techniques to Chinese propagators. His is renowned for his expertise amongst growers in Southeast Asia. He has more than 32 years’ experience in carnation breeding with international breeders.
Fuji-Plants Co. Ltd is a member of several global and national industry organisations, including: the carnation propagators association; the Japan Plant Variety Protection Forum (JATAFF) Planning committee; CIOPORA carnation crop section member; and the Japanese youth goodwill mission.
Scott Salter is the Chief Technical Manager for the Lynch Group. The Lynch Group is Australia’s largest cut flower and ornamental plant company, serving many thousands of retail outlets in every town and province throughout the continent of Australia, served by a large network of suppliers all around the world. As part of the wider executive team in China, Scott has worked extensively with local growers, workers and scientists to establish world class growing, processing and quarantine treatment facilities in Yunnan Province that have facilitated secure trade with one of the world’s most challenging biosecurity jurisdictions for cut flowers. Scott obtained a Horticultural Science degree at Sydney University, specialising in postharvest technology, whereupon he was appointed Lecturer within the Faculty of Agriculture in 2006. As Group Quality Manager, Scott developed a fully integrated Quality Management System throughout the company and its network of local and international growers. He now works closely with suppliers and governments all around the flower growing world to build systems that secure market access for cut flowers and plants into Australia.
Augusto Solano has been the Executive President of the Association of Colombian Flower Exporters (Asocolflores) in Bogotá, Colombia, since 2000. In this role he is responsible for leading the process of making Colombia’s flower industry more competitive, with a focus on sustainable development and social responsibility. Asocolflores was established in 1973 to promote the flower sector internationally and seek the comprehensive development of Colombian floriculture. Augusto Solano has supported many initiatives to increase flower consumption worldwide.
An Industrial Engineer from Los Andes University in Bogotá, Mr. Solano also holds an MBA degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Asocolflores in 2000, he held various managerial positions in agribusiness, banking and publishing. His previous positions include CEO of Riopaila, a major Colombian sugar mill; Assistant Vice-President at Banco de Bogotá Trust Company, New York; and General Manager of a publishing company, Canal Ediciones (Mondadori). Mr Solano has also worked in the public sector as an economic and financial advisor to Colombia’s Minister of Economic Development.
Mr Solano currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Colombia Chapter; represents America at the Board of Directors of Union Fleurs and the flower growers from the southern hemisphere at the Board of Directors of Floriculture Sustainability Initiative, (FSI). He also belongs to the Boards of a prestigious business school and the largest pension fund in Colombia as well as to the private sector Industry Council.
Joep Hendricks is the owner of gygga innoventures, a research and consultancy firm which focusses on global horticulture and adjacent industries. The firm works along the entire value chain from breeders to retailers in the domains of marketing, innovation, economics, and value chain optimisation. Together with our partners we have been serving clients on every continent to create value for the past two decades.
Horticulture is perhaps among the best kept secrets for finding solutions that can contribute to a more sustainable world. Our cultivation is among the most resource efficient production systems, and the impact ornamentals have on health and wellbeing is tremendous. Plants hold the power to create liveable cities, stimulate economic growth and moreover bring health and happiness.
Mr. Hendricks led the AIPH International Vision Project which provides vast supporting evidence for the power of plants. This research is a perfect example of how a global network of bright minds and experts can work together to create a basis for further growth. Recently Mr Hendricks has taken on the position of CEO of The World Horti Center in the Netherlands. This is a unique combination of forerunners from education, research and the private sector all striving to bring horticulture to the next level by creating a global network of cross sector collaborations to find even more relevant solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.
Jiang Shengde is a senior engineer, Chairman of Hongyue Horticultural Corporation, Vice-Chairman of Zhejiang Floriculture Association, Man of the Year (2015) – China Flower and Tree Industry, and winner of the Golden Taurus Award – Leading Man of Zhejiang New rural Construction (2015).
Starting with seeds and seedlings, his ambition is to integrate home gardening into every household’s lifestyle and to open a new era in home gardening retailing. With both online and offline chain platforms, Hongyue has earned its reputation by focusing on and branding a wide range of horticultural products and by creating service lines with exclusive quality.
After working on nurseries in the UK and Europe and studying horticulture at Writtle College, Mr Edwards took over the running of the family business in 1986. The business now employs a staff of around 100 and is one of the country’s leading hardy nursery stock nurseries turning over more than £9m. It consists of two production nurseries, several trading operations and a very small domestic landscaping operation. Boningale Nurseries makes up the largest part of the business, producing plants for the amenity market as well as trading stock grown by supplier nurseries in the UK and Europe. Worfield Plants produces mainly alpine and herbaceous plants for the independent garden centre market and operates from a site at nearby Worfield. Viridis is a specialist division, tailoring it’s offering to garden designers and domestic garden contractors and pulling on the production and supply chains of the Boningale and Worfield operations. Boningale Garden Creations is a domestic landscaping operation working locally.
Tim has been involved in Trade matters for many years, representing nursery stock growers and suppliers in both HTA and NFU. In the HTA Tim Chairs the Amenity Suppliers Group and sits on the HTA’s Ornamentals Committee. In NFU he sits on the Board for Horticulture, representing Nursery Stock. For both HTA and NFU, Tim represents the UK at the European Nursery Stock Association (ENA) and at the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). He became President of ENA in 2014 and was re-elected to that position in 2016, finally retiring from that position in June 2018. He is currently Vice President of the AIPH.
His involvement in Trade issues and his understanding of the structure of the Trade has pushed him towards plant health matters and he represents nursery producers at the Scottish Government’s ‘Scottish Tree Health Advisory Group’. He also sits on the UK’s ‘Plant Health Advisory Forum’ and represents growers in the joint HTA / NFU approach to devising a biosecurity strategy for the Trade.
Mr Biense Visser,CEO of Dümmen Orange, the Netherlands
Plant Breeders Rights in China
Mr Long Sanqun, Deputy Director General of PBR Office, National Forestry and Grassland Administration
Dr Edgar Krieger, Secretary General, CIOPORA
Successful Cooperation Between Chinese Growers and International Breeders
Mr Wang Zhijian, President of Yunnan YinMore Flower Industry Company, China and Mr Yoshikazu Suzuki, CEO of Fuji Plants Co. Ltd. Japan (carnation breeder and supplier to Yunnan YinMore).
Mr Marco van Zijverden, CEO of Dutch Flower Group, the Netherlands.
What You Need to Know About Trading with China
Mr Fangke from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)
International Growers Making Business in China.
Mr Fabian Saenz, Costa Farms Miami USA, Vice President, Costa Farms Far East Division Guangzhou, China
Opportunities at GreenTech for the Chinese industry.
Ms Mariska Dreschler, GreenTech, the Netherlands
Challenges and Opportunities in Supplying the Chinese Market:
Mr Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores, Colombia, Mr Scott Salter, Chief Technical Manager, the Lynch Group, Australia.
AIPH International Vision Project: Understanding the Chinese Market
Joep Hendricks
Development of the Ornamentals Market in Japan and Globally
Mr Hiroshi Sakata, President of Sakata Seed Corporation and Japan Home Gardening Association
